Rodgers said: "We're a little frustrated (not to win) but we needed to come here and put on a performance that was going to allow us to take encouragement and qualification from the group. We had both.

"The reaction to going behind was fantastic. You saw the character in the group.

"Of course we are frustrated because at 2-1 it could have been 3-1 or 4-1.

"At the beginning we said it will probably come down to the last game. It has come down to the last game at Anfield to qualify.

"It's all you can ever ask for, is for the fate to be in your own hands.

"I am happy to rely on us to play at Anfield in front of the supporters for qualification.

"I am really looking forward to that."

Rodgers made three changes from the defeat at Crystal Palace, with Lucas Leiva , Kolo Toure and Jordan Henderson restored to the side in place of Dejan Lovren, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana, and the Reds boss admitted he wanted a more "solid structure" to his team in Bulgaria.

He added: "We played with two controlling players, who are both good passers of the ball, can both press, tackle and make interceptions and both can defend."

The tactical reshuffle saw Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard moved back to a more advanced position in the side and Rodgers added that he was happy with his skipper's performance.

He said: "He probably hasn't ran as much since 2009!

"I think he did that job excellently. His job was to support Rickie Lambert. I thought he was excellent."